Photo of closure and wing rails with manganese-insert frog.

Covers the repair-in-place track and all the typical details one would find around such a track. There are notes on how to introduce "bad order" cars into an operating session.

The author describes how he uses half of a Simpson StrongTie LTP-4 bracket to more easily attach a Tortoise machine to the underside of the layout. Also covers how he lines up the throwbar and prewires the Tortoise switch machine.

Discusses the plus and minus of the new Atlas code 55 track. The author shows and discusses many photos of how the track was installed on one of his new yards. A portion of the article describes the "Warner Linkages", a method of manually controlling turnouts from the edge of the layout, while still providing the right polarity to the turnout's frog.

Ballast on Boston & Maine RR prototype. Preparation, ballast, and painting.

This article describes some of the ways that people control turnouts. It includes how to model ground throws, various switch machines, and how to install Circuitron's Tortoise machines.

To simulate the action of throwing a turnout, the author uses keys and switch locks to throw his layout's turnouts. Some modification of the switch lock is required and fully described.

Creating layers of ballast. Lots of prototype photos.

Using two set of points to divert the track to a scale. Includes diagram, construction and prototype photos.

The author describes how he built tall switch stands to fit the Peco turnouts.

Laying the outer rails and some of the frogs.

This installment covers the throw bar design, the inner point design, and the outer frog guard rail design. Includes many close-up photos. http://www.ida.net/users/tetonsl/railroad/dblslip.htm

This article is nice review of all the methods we can employ to keep our track and models' wheels clean. It covers the reason for dirty track, using liquid and abrasive track cleaners, and cleaning locomotive and car wheels.

Tools and methods.

Using wooden blocks, these DL&W concrete bumping blocks are easy to model. Prototype and model photos, as well as scale drawings are included.

The author combines code 60 rail with the Atlas code 55 flextrack to provide more-or-less realistic-looking track while still providing support for the "pizza-cutter" deep-flanged wheels.

Using this material to lay track.

Using cork to layout roadbed.

Where to locate electromagnet and permanent magnets.

This step-by-step article covers painting rails and ties, cleaning rail, painting the scenery base, adding ballast, final clean-up and weathering

This construction how-to article not only describes the purpose and history of a team track but also how to build one (including a turnout in mostly covered track. Includes a side bar on how to protect signals and telephone poles on the layout using a counterweight system.

The author of the other track article in this issue continues his discussion of his philosophy about the state of N-scale track.

By researching the prototype the author came up with a trackplan modeling this wye. Includes many prototype photos, track plan ideas, and the final track plan.

Other track configurations that accomplish the same thing as a double-switch, but they do take up more space.

New Atlas track issues.

These track-side details provide a good example of mainline repair crew activity. A scale drawing, as well as model and prototype photos are shown for these stands that hold two pieces of rail.

A description of how the modern-day highway crossing gates work. Includes prototype photos and scale drawings.

Shows and answers the difference between a single and double-slip turnout.

Definitions of narrow gauge railroading.

Prototype drawings of the "star" switch stand and the "banner" switch stand.

The author describes how he constructs his turnout linkage mechanism for both manual and power operations.

The author describes how he scratchbuilt this 2-foot gauge, short turntable. It includes prototype photos, scale drawings, and many detail construction photos.

Observations about the team track.

Build a hidden electromagnetic uncoupler

Using a straw to guide track feeders through layers of insulation foam.

Model aircraft push rods make installation quicker and easier.

The author describes how track is inspected. The article includes several photos of modern-day track inspection vehicles (converted flat-bed or SUVs).

Lots of photos of the turnout set to various positions.

Purpose of a siding. Prototype and modeling photos.

Wiring track under the rail.